Why Does A GOOD God Let Us Suffer and Die?

Why is there suffering? It’s a question that resonates with many of us, whether we’ve lost a loved one, faced a personal trial, or simply observed the pain around the world. “Why is this happening to me?” “Why are people suffering, why are there famines, diseases, and senseless deaths?” These are deep, haunting questions that can stir the soul. But in Christianity, there’s an answer to the problem of pain and suffering — one that’s deeply rooted in the faith and offers a perspective that can turn darkness into light.

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The Christian Answer to Suffering

In Christian thought, suffering isn’t meaningless — it’s often seen as a pathway to something deeper. Our God speaks to us repeatedly about suffering, revealing it as an essential part of the human experience that can lead us to spiritual transformation. The idea that suffering serves as a vehicle for achieving mystical knowledge and divine understanding is a central one in Christianity.

In times of suffering, the soul undergoes a purification process — a sort of “dark night of the soul” where the ego is stripped away. This process can be likened to the purification of metals, where something base (like lead) is transformed into something pure and valuable (like gold). This happens through fire — pain, trials, and tribulations. But just as gold doesn’t suffer from the fire, our souls, although tested, are ultimately refined by it. Pain is the crucible that shapes us into stronger, purer versions of ourselves.

Pain as a Modulator for Growth

As many have experienced, trials and suffering are often the catalysts for growth. God doesn’t allow us to suffer because He enjoys our pain, but because He knows the potential for growth it carries. Just like a muscle grows stronger through resistance, our faith is strengthened through suffering. God tests our faith to help us find a deeper connection with Him, and ultimately, to help us reach divine illumination — seeing the goodness of life even amidst hardship.

Personally, I’ve seen this transformation in my own life. I’ve been through rough times, and those moments of darkness tested everything I believed. But emerging from those times with my soul untainted, still seeing the good in life, was a powerful sign that I had walked the path of spiritual growth.

Participating in Christ’s Life

The esoteric view of Christianity emphasizes that suffering is not only a consequence of the fall of man but an invitation to partake in Christ’s redemptive work. This is where suffering takes on a deeper meaning. It’s not merely about pain for pain’s sake; it’s about participation in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. As we suffer, we mirror Christ’s own suffering, which leads us to spiritual rebirth and enlightenment.

This is a difficult concept, especially for those who believe that Jesus’ sacrifice means we are free from suffering. But Christianity teaches us that Christ’s life is the example for us to follow. As He sacrificed Himself for the greater good, we too are called to sacrifice — whether for our loved ones, our community, or for God’s purpose. True love is often about sacrifice, and through it, we become better people and create a better world.

Suffering as Transformation

Suffering can also be understood as a necessary stage in a process of spiritual purification. Think of it like alchemy, where the soul undergoes a transformation from the material to the spiritual. This echoes the process of negrado — the first stage in alchemy — where the soul is in chaos and darkness. Only after this phase can the soul be purified and brought into union with God.

Again, this is something I’ve personally experienced. Life’s hardships often feel like a storm that’s tearing apart everything I thought I knew. But coming out of that storm, still holding on to faith and still seeing the good in the world, is a clear sign of transformation. It’s through suffering that we grow into something greater, just like gold refined by fire.

The Cross: A Symbol of Divine Union

The cross in Christianity is not only a symbol of crucifixion but also of the intersection between the divine and the human. It’s where the infinite meets the finite. In a deeper sense, the cross represents the transcendence of duality — where we move beyond the divisions of life to unite with God. Jesus descended into matter, took on human suffering, and then ascended again — showing us that we too can rise above our earthly struggles and return to the divine.

We are not merely our bodies, but eternal souls on a journey through life. Our souls come down to experience the physical world and all its trials, but the ultimate goal is to rise again, purified and transformed. This is the essence of the Christian life: we suffer, we learn, and we transcend.

Asceticism and Voluntary Suffering

Christianity also teaches us about asceticism — the voluntary denial of earthly pleasures in order to grow closer to God. Practices like fasting or self-discipline aren’t just about self-punishment but are a way to focus on the spiritual over the material. By denying ourselves temporary comforts, we are better able to align our hearts with God’s will and deepen our spiritual connection.

The Wisdom of C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis famously grappled with the question of suffering when he lost his wife, and his struggles with grief are captured in his book A Grief Observed. In it, he wrestles with his pain and his faith, asking, “How can a good God allow suffering?” But instead of abandoning his faith, Lewis comes to a profound realization: suffering, especially when paired with love, is a means of spiritual growth. He wrote that the greater the love, the greater the grief, and that love without suffering is impossible.

It’s a difficult lesson, but a beautiful one. The price of love is heartbreak. And while suffering can tear us apart, it also deepens our capacity to love. It is, as Lewis said, a price worth paying.

Suffering and Love: A Deep Connection

To live fully, we must have the courage to suffer in the name of love. This is not just about accepting suffering but about understanding that through suffering, we become stronger. The deeper you love, the deeper you will hurt, but the stronger your soul will become. This wisdom is captured in both Good Will Hunting, where Robin Williams explains that love involves suffering, and in the writings of great thinkers like Ivan Amatolya.

The more you walk with Jesus, the tougher the tribulations may become. But it also means the stronger your soul will be, and the more resilient your faith in God will become. Suffering, while painful, is absolutely necessary for spiritual growth.

Conclusion

In the end, suffering is a critical part of the human experience. It’s not something we can avoid or escape, but something we must confront and endure. Through suffering, we are refined, purified, and made stronger. And while it’s difficult to understand why God allows us to suffer, Christianity offers a perspective that helps us see suffering not as a punishment but as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment.

We may not always understand why we’re suffering, but if we have the courage to face it with faith, we will emerge stronger, wiser, and more connected to God. This is the true purpose of suffering — to grow, to love, and to become the people God created us to be.